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Progesterone Breeding Information

There are multiple hormones that help to regulate the estrus (heat) cycle and pregnancy in dogs. These include:

Estrogen: Stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Stimulates the ovaries to release the eggs.

Progesterone: Maintains a pregnancy.

Understanding how the hormone levels change can help in determining the best time to breed and when to anticipate whelping.

Most mammals ovulate when the estrogen level in the blood is increasing. Dogs, however, ovulate when the estrogen level is declining and the progesterone level is increasing. Estrogen levels can give us a general idea of when a dog will come into heat, but are not sufficient to determine when breeding should actually take place. Vaginal cytology can also provide some general information. Progesterone levels and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels are the best indicators of when ovulation will take place and when is the best time to breed. They are also useful in determining whelping dates, allowing an owner to reserve the appropriate days on the calendar and even to schedule a c-section (caesarean) weeks in advance.

Luteinizing hormone levels

LH is species-specific, meaning it is chemically different in different species. Blood testing for LH, therefore, needs to be done at a veterinary lab or at a veterinary clinic where access to the specific test for that species is available. Test results are generally available within less than 24 hours of submitting the sample.

The LH test needs to be done daily starting toward the end of proestrus. The LH spike typically lasts only 24 hours or less, so the test needs to be done every 24 hours in order to catch it. If the testing starts too late, the spike will be missed. The spike generally occurs 48 hours prior to ovulation.

Figure 1. Hormone Levels During Estrus and Pregnancy

Progesterone levels and breeding

The progesterone test is not species specific so the test can be run in human labs or veterinary labs. Results should be available in less than 24 hours.

The progesterone test can be done every 2-3 days starting about 3-5 days into the heat. Timing of the test can be more certain if the lengths of the dog's previous heat cycles are known. The beginning progesterone levels are typically less than 1.0 ng/ml until the day before the LH surge. The day of the LH spike, serum progesterone concentrations are 2-3 ng/ml; the day following the LH surge, the serum progesterone concentration is 3-4 ng/ml. Ovulation occurs at a progesterone level of 5 ng/ml.

Figure 2. Predicting Breeding Time And Whelping

Timing of breeding

The aim is to identify when the progesterone level reaches 2.5 ng/ml so the mating schedule can be set up, or the veterinarian and owner of the male dog can be notified that they should be prepared to collect and ship a semen sample. Depending upon the type of semen used, optimal times for natural or artificial insemination are:

Natural breeding should occur 3 days after the 2.5 ng/ml mark. Sperm in fresh semen survive 5-7 days after insemination.

Artificial insemination using fresh chilled semen should be used for a 1-time breeding. Insemination should take place 4 days after the progesterone reaches the 2.5 ng/ml mark or 48 hours after the 5 ng/ml mark. Sperm in chilled semen survive 48-72 hours after insemination. With artificial insemination, the semen should be deposited into the cervix to increase the chance of it being drawn into the uterus.

Artificial insemination using frozen semen should be performed 5 days following the 2.5 ng/ml mark or 72 hours after the 5 ng/ml mark. Sperm in frozen semen survives less than 24 hours after insemination. Frozen semen is ideally deposited directly into the uterus through surgery to increase the chance of pregnancy.

Fertilization and implantation

The sperm require a period of approximately 7 hours after ejaculation before they are capable of fertilizing an egg. This period is referred to as the "capacitation time." The egg also needs time to mature after it is ovulated, generally 48 hours from ovulation until it can be fertilized. Fertilization occurs in the oviduct (Fallopian tubes) regardless of the method of insemination. The fertilized egg then travels into the uterus but does not implant until 17-18 days after ovulation. If there are problems with the lining of the uterus, the egg may not implant or the placenta may not grow or be maintained. A normal placenta grows into the lining of the uterus. If implantation does not occur or the placenta does not grow normally, the fetuses are resorbed.

Progesterone levels during pregnancy and whelping

After ovulation, progesterone concentrations continue to increase for 2-3 weeks, finally reaching 10-80 ng/ml. This level is necessary to maintain a pregnancy. In the dog, the progesterone level will remain at this level for about 60 days whether or not the dog is bred, and whether or not she is pregnant.

About 48 hours before whelping, the progesterone level drops to the 2 ng/ml range and within about 24 hours of whelping, the level drops to the 1 ng/ml range. This can help determine the proper timing of a c-section, especially if the progesterone level or LH level were not used to determine the ovulation date. By correctly determining the whelping time, it can prevent puppies from being taken by c-section too early and thereby decreasing their chance of survival.

Brief historical summary:The Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds. Its origin goesback to Roman times. These dogs were kept as herder or driving dogs. Theymarched over the Alps with the Roman legions, protecting the humans and drivingtheir cattle. In the region of Rottweil, these dogs met and mixed with thenative dogs in a natural crossing. The main task of the Rottweiler now becamethe driving and guarding of the herds of cattle and the defence of their mastersand their property. This breed acquired its name from the old free city ofRottweil and was known as the „Rottweil butcher’s dog".The butchers bred this type of dog purely for performance and usefulness. In duecourse, a first rate watch and driving dog evolved which could also be used as adraught dog. When, at the beginning of the twentieth century, various breedswere needed for police service, the Rottweiler was amongst those tested. It soonbecame evident that the breed was highly suitable for the tasks set by policeservice and therefore they were officially recognized as police dogs in 1910.Rottweiler breeders aim at a dog of abundant strength, black coated with clearlydefined rich tan markings, whose powerful appearance does not lack nobility andwhich is exceptionally well suited to being a companion, service and workingdog.General AppearanceThe Rottweiler is a medium to large size, stalwart dog, neither heavy nor lightand neither leggy nor weedy. His correctly proportioned, compact and powerfulbuild leads to the conclusion of great strength, agility and endurance.Important ProportionsThe length of the body, measured from the sternum (breast-bone) to the ischiatictuberosity, should not exceed the height at the withers by, at most, 15 %.Behaviour / TemperamentGood natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children, very devoted,obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural and rustic, hisbehaviour self assured, steady and fearless. He reacts to his surroundings withgreat alertness.Head:Cranial Region:Skull:Of medium length, broad between the ears. Forehead line moderatelyarched as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed without beingconspicious.Stop:Well defined.

Tail:In natural condition, level in extension of the upper line; at easemay be hanging

LimbsForequarters:Seen from the front, the front legs are straight and notplaced too closely to each other. The forearm, seen from the side, standsstraight. The slope of the shoulder blade is about 45 degrees to thehorizontal.Shoulders:Well laid back.Upper arm:Close fitting to the body.Forearm:Strongly developed and muscular.Pasterns:Slightly springy, strong, not steep.Front feet:Round, tight and well arched; pads hard; nails short, black andstrong.Hindquarters:Seen from behind, legs straight and not too close together.When standing free, obtuse angles are formed between the dog’s upper thighand the hip bone, the upper thigh and the lower thigh and the metatarsal.Upper thigh:Moderately long, broad and strongly muscled.Lower thigh:Long, strongly and broadly muscled at top, sinewy.Hocks:Sturdy well angulated hocks; not steep.Hindfeet:Slightly longer than the front feet. Toes strong, arched, astight as front feet.GaitThe Rottweiler is a trotting dog. In movement the back remains firmand relatively stable. Movement harmonious, steady, full of energy andunrestricted, with good stride.SkinSkin on the head:Overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, theforehead may be slightly wrinkled.

CoatHair:The coat consists of a top coat and an undercoat. The top coat is ofmedium length, coarse, dense and flat. The undercoat must not show throughthe top coat. The hair is a little longer on the hindlegs.Colour:Black with clearly defined markings of a rich tan on the cheeks,muzzle, throat, chest and legs, as well as over both eyes and under thebase of the tail.

Size and weightHeigtht at withers:For males is 61 - 68 cm.61 - 62 cm is small

Eliminating Faults:General:Distinct reversal of sexual type, i.e. feminine dogs or masculine bitches.Teeth:Overshot or undershot bite, wry mouth; lack of one incisive tooth, one canine, one premolar and one molar.Eyes:Entropion, ectropion, yellow eyes, different coloured eyes.Tail:Kink tail, ring tail, with strong lateral deviationHair:Definitely long or wavy coat.Colour:Dogs which do not show the typical Rottweiler colouring of black